Artificial calyx.



No. 831,086. PATENTED SEPT. 18, 1906.

W. MAXFIELD.

ARTIFICIAL CALYX. APPLICATION FILED JULY 12. 1906.

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rrnn srarns earn rrron WVILLIAM MAXFIELD, OF BARRINGTON, RHODE ISLAND,ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO I/VILLIAM O. DIMOND, OF \VARREN, RHODE ISLAND.

ARTIFICIAL CALYX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 18, 1906.

Application filed July 12,1906. Serial No. 326,836.

My invention relates to a new article of manufacture intended for useupon the calyxes of certain buds, particularly pinks.

Great loss is occasioned florists by the tendency of pink-buds to splitpending their flowering period. A single split in the calyx renders theresulting flower comparativelyvalueless for commercial purposes.

The object of my invention is to prevent the splittingreferred to andsaid invention consists in forming an artificial calyx to be applied tothe bud during its growth.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,Figures 1 and 2 are side and top plan elevations, respectively, of mynovel calyx applied to a pinkbud; Fig. 3, a transverse section of thesame on line a: w of Fig. 1 Fig. 4, a vertical transverse centralsection of my calyx, the inclosed bud being shown in broken lines 5 Fig.5, a bottom plan view of my calyx Fig. 6, a plan View of the blank fromwhich the same is formed, and Fig. 7 a side elevation of a modified formof my calyx.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the views.

My device is preferably formed by stamping or cutting from a thin sheetof metal a cup-shaped member comprising a band or ring A, from whichupwardly extend a plurality of looped arms a a. Each arm is slightlyoutwardly swelled midway its length, as at b, and has its free endoutwardly flared, as at 6. (Best shown in Fig. 4.) The arms are broadestintermediate their length. The band A is provided with any convenientfastening means. The preferred form consists of a tongue 0 upon one endof the band, which is adapted to enter a slot (Z in the adjacentopposite end thereof and be folded thereon.

It is not essential that my calyx should be made from flat stock.Obviously it may be constructed from a single continuous piece of wirebent to form the arms a, rising from an integral band A, the adjacentends of the band being flattened to facilitate the formation of thetongue 0 and. slot (1 My artificial calyx is operated as follows: Inunfastened condition it is pushed over the calyx e of the bud ffrombelow and the tongue 0 engaged in the slot (Z. Thus the base of the budis embraced by the band A, while each arm a embraces one of the sepals gof the calyx, gently retaining the same in natural upright position andpreventing the formation of any split between the sepals. The outwardflare of the free ends of the arms permits free growth of the petals 7Lhorizontally. The spring-pressure of the arms is slight, and the armsare comparatively yielding, so as not to impede the growth of theflower. After the flower has begun to blow the artificial calyx isremoved, as the danger of splitting thereupon ceases.

that I claim is- 1. As a new article of manufacture, an ar tificialcalyx, the same comprising a band, and a plurality of arms radiatingfrom the band.

2. As a new article of manufacture, an artificial calyx, the samecomprising a band, and a plurality of spring-arms upon the band.

3. As a new article of manufacture, an artificial calyx, the samecomprising a band, and means for engaging the ends of the same, andupwardly-directed arms upon the band.

4. As a new article of manufacture, an artificial calyx, the samecomprising a band and a plurality of looped arms upon the band. v

5. As a new article of manufacture, an artificial calyx, the samecomprising a band, and a plurality of yielding arms upon the bandadapted to embrace the calyx of a bud.

6. As a new article of manufacture, an artificial calyx, the samecomprising a band, and a plurality of upwardly-directed. yielding armsupon the band having their free ends outwardly inclined.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

IVILLIAM MAXFIELD. WVitnesses:

IIORATIO E. BELLOWS, WILLIAM C. DIMOND.

